Do you have a gurgling kitchen sink? If so, then your garbage disposal is probably the culprit. Garbage disposals typically clog with food waste and other items that aren’t supposed to go down them.
The best way to fix this problem is by hiring a professional plumber as they will know how to unclog the pipes properly without causing any damage or leaks.
This detailed guide will teach you how to fix a gurgling kitchen sink yourself, but if it doesn’t work or if you don’t feel comfortable doing it on your own, then hire someone who knows what they’re doing instead.
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Steps On How To Fix A Gurgling Kitchen Sink
Below are following are some tips on how to fix a gurgling kitchen sink:
Check For Leaks Under The Sink
If you are hearing water running, it could be that a pipe is leaking and needs to be tightened or replaced. You can also try tightening the clamps on the hoses coming from your faucet handles as well.
If no leak seems apparent, there may just be something in the drain that creates the noise. You can try using a plunger to dislodge whatever may be in there, but if this doesn’t work, you’ll need to call upon professional help. You might also love our recent guides on the list of best utility sinks & reviews on copper sinks.
Check For Blockages
If your sink seems clogged and water isn’t draining well, then it’s possible something could have lodged itself within the pipe. This could be an item that was thrown in the sink or something else entirely, like a hairball from your pet cat!
If you need to clear the clog yourself, try using a plunger first and see if it gets unstuck on its own. If not, then do some research online on how to unclog an obstruction safely.
Keep in mind that if the clog doesn’t go away after a few tries, you’ll need to call a plumber so they can snake out whatever is obstructing your pipes and restore water flow.
Remove Food Particles From The Sink
If there are bits of leftover food sitting at the bottom of your sink (or even in the drain), this could be what’s causing your gurgling sound. The waste is creating more than just an annoying noise- it can also lead to other problems like clogged drains, foul smells, and slow draining water.
It doesn’t take much for a sink full of food debris to create this problem, so any time you’re cleaning dishes or cooking, be sure to empty out the sink and rinse it thoroughly.
Check Air Admittance Valve
You may have an air admittance valve (AAV) that is stuck open. This will cause water to flow in and out of your home’s drainage system much more quickly than it should, causing a gurgling sound as well.
To fix this problem, get a bucket or large bowl, fill it with enough cold water so that the AAV will be submerged when you stick the bucket under the pipe.
Place a stopper in the drain and cover it with water; place your finger over the AAV opening on top of it so that air cannot escape from it. Turn on cold water to fill up your sink slowly.
Once this is done for about 45 seconds, turn off the water and remove your finger from the AAV. The sound should stop! If not, then repeat these steps until it does.
Flush The Sink
Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to take your sink for a bit of dip- just like you would with the toilet. Fill up your drain or basin with cold water, and then flush away all of the gunk that has built up over time!
If this doesn’t fix the problem, make sure you call on professional help. You may have a larger issue going on that needs to be addressed ASAP before it becomes too much worse!
The squeaky sound will go away after a few moments. If the noise continues, there’s something in your plumbing system that needs attention.
Diagnose Main Vent
If the gurgling sound comes from your kitchen sink and not your bathroom, it could be a problem with the main vent. If the central vent is blocked, it can create this same type of sound.
To check, crawl under the sink and see if you notice anything obstructing the vent piping. If blocked, clean the area with a vacuum or use an air compressor to remove any debris blocking it.
Or, call on professional help if you cannot find anything out of place and have troubleshooting steps for this problem. A gurgling kitchen sink can be a pain to deal with.
Luckily, there are many ways you can take care of the problem yourself without calling a plumber. You may need to try more than one method before finding what works best for your plumbing system, but don’t give up.
And if all else fails and you find that it’s time for a professional opinion, make sure you have these tips so that they know exactly how serious the issue is when they arrive on site. Happy fixing!